Thermal radiation shield and combustion air controlled enclosure assembly for a ground flare

ABSTRACT

A thermal radiation shield and combustion air controlled enclosure assembly. The assembly encloses a ground flare or flares and includes a plurality of structural supports at an obtuse angle to grade. Panels extend between the structural supports surrounding the ground flare wherein the panels are at an obtuse angle to grade.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is directed to a thermal radiation shield and combustion air control enclosure assembly for a ground flare or flares. In particular, the present invention is directed to a thermal radiation shield and combustion air control enclosure assembly which limits infra-red radiation while allowing sufficient air flow for combustion and while controlling wind flow against interference.

2. Related Art

Flare systems are used in various industries to provide safe disposal of flammable liquids or gases. Flare systems are combustion mechanisms to burn off flammable liquids or gases. By way of example, flare systems may be used in industrial plants to burn off flammable gases released by pressure relief valves. Various types of flares exist, including elevated flares and flares that operate near grade. Near-grade level flares are often called ground flares.

Large ground flares are often surrounded by an opaque or semi-opaque enclosure. This is enclosure is often referred to as a ground flare “fence” or “wall”. This fence serves multiple purposes. The fence serves to reduce the amount of light emitted by the flares. The fence also serves to limit the amount of infra-red radiation from the flares, protecting personnel and equipment at grade. In addition, the fence serves to reduce the amount of noise from the flare by reflecting the noise. At the same time, the fence must allow sufficient air flow through the fence to maintain fence temperatures within design limits and to provide air flow for combustion. The fence must also control the wind flow so that high winds do not interfere with flare operation.

A typical ground flare fence is shaped like a polygon. It consists of vertical structural steel support beams and attached horizontal fence panels. Many different types of materials suitable for elevated temperatures can be used for the fence panels and beams. Galvanized carbon steel is the most common material.

Prior flare enclosures may be seen in Hamazaki et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 4,652,233) which discloses a ground flare stack with a fence 3 concentrically surrounding a lower part of the stack, a roof 4 extending radially outward fro the stack, and a louver 5 installed at the opening between the fence and the roof. The fence 3 is perpendicular to grade.

Yokohama et al. (U.S. Patent Publication No. 2011/0318697) discloses a prior art ground flare stack configuration having a windbreak 40 with windbreak openings 41 in a variety of configurations.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, there remains a need to develop a thermal radiation shield and combustion air controlled ground flare enclosure assembly which will reduce flame distortion of the ground flare or flares.

There also remains a need to develop a thermal radiation shield and combustion air controlled enclosure assembly which will reflect or deflect noise from the ground flare or flares.

There also remains a need to develop a thermal radiation shield and combustion air control enclosure assembly which will reduce the temperature of the enclosure assembly.

There also remains a need to develop a thermal radiation shield and combustion air controlled enclosure assembly which will extend the life of the enclosure assembly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a thermal radiation shield and combustion air control enclosure assembly for a ground flare or flares. The present invention provides structural supports and accompanying panels that slope outwards from the combustion section of the ground flare or flares. By sloping the support beams outward at an obtuse angle to grade, several benefits are shown.

-   -   1) The top section of the enclosure assembly tends to be the         hottest location on the enclosure assembly. By moving the top of         the enclosure assembly outward, the distance between the fence         and the combustion section of the flare is increased, thus         reducing fence temperature.     -   2) When wind blows over the top of a vertical structure, a         vortex tends to be formed on the downwind side. This may be         caused by force of ambient crosswinds or by force of winds drawn         in by flames. If a large vortex is formed inside the flare         enclosure assembly, the vortex can distort the flame shape and         force the flame towards grade. Forcing the flame downwards         increases the operating temperature of the equipment which is         detrimental. Sloping the enclosure assembly away from the         combustion zone moves the vortex away from the combustion zone,         reducing flame distortion.     -   3) With some variations of the enclosure assembly design, the         panels are sloped outwards with the structural supports. Sloping         the panels outward results in a more advantageous angle of         reflection. This results in more of the noise and infra-red.         radiation being reflected upwards away from grade, resulting in         lower noise and potentially cooler enclosure assembly         temperatures.

The panels in the present invention are designed to survive in the heat generated by the flare. There are many different configurations possible for the panels. Several configurations are described in detail herein, but the scope of the present invention is not intended to limit the possible panel configurations.

-   -   1) The most basic preferred configuration for the enclosure         assembly has the panels side-by-side on the combustion side of         the structural supports. This blocks radiation and visible         light, but limits the amount of air flow through the fence.     -   2) Another preferred configuration has panels staggered on         either side of the structural supports. By staggering the         panels, air flow is allowed to pass through the assembly while         still blocking light and infra-red radiation.     -   3) A third preferred configuration has louvered-style fence         panels. The panels would be mounted at an angle different than         that of the structural supports, The angle of the panels could         be adjusted to optimize the amount of air flow through the         fence.     -   4) Double-layered panels of different configurations are         sometimes used to provide additional protection to sensitive         locations.

For large ground flares, the bottom of the main enclosure is often open on one or more sides to allow combustion air flow through the enclosure. When the bottom of the enclosure is open, a secondary fence may be installed some distance from the main panels. By installing the secondary fence some distance from the main panels, the primary functions of the main panels such as blocking visible light and infra-red radiation are preserved white allowing additional combustion air flow under the enclosure.

A secondary fence for the present invention may include many of the design features of the main enclosure, The secondary fence can be mounted on the same structure as the main enclosure or can be mounted on a separate structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a top view and FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate alternate perspective views of a thermal radiation shield and combustion air controlled enclosure assembly for a ground flare or flares constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a partial sectional view of the enclosure assembly set forth in FIG. 1 in a first preferred embodiment;

FIG. 5 illustrates a partial sectional view of a second preferred embodiment of the enclosure assembly;

FIG. 6 illustrates a partial sectional view of a third preferred embodiment of the enclosure assembly;

FIG. 7 illustrates a partial sectional view of a fourth preferred embodiment of the enclosure assembly;

FIG. 8 illustrates a partial sectional view of a fifth preferred embodiment of the enclosure assembly;

FIG. 9 illustrates a partial sectional view of a sixth preferred embodiment of the enclosure assembly;

FIG. 10 illustrates a partial sectional of a seventh preferred embodiment of the enclosure assembly;

FIG. 11 illustrates a partial sectional view of an eighth preferred embodiment of the enclosure assembly;

FIG. 12 illustrates a partial sectional view of a ninth preferred embodiment of the enclosure assembly;

FIG. 13 illustrates a partial sectional view of a tenth preferred embodiment of the enclosure assembly;

FIG. 14 illustrates a partial sectional view of an eleventh preferred embodiment of the enclosure assembly;

FIG. 15 illustrates a partial sectional view of a twelvth preferred embodiment of the enclosure assembly;

FIG. 16 illustrates a partial sectional view of a thirteenth preferred embodiment of the enclosure assembly;

FIG. 17 illustrates a partial sectional view of a fourteenth preferred embodiment of the enclosure assembly;

FIG. 18 illustrates a partial sectional view of a fifteenth preferred embodiment of the enclosure assembly;

FIG. 19 illustrates a partial sectional view of a sixteenth preferred embodiment of the enc to sure assembly;

FIG. 20 illustrates a partial sectional view of a seventeenth preferred embodiment of the enclosure assembly; and

FIG. 21 illustrates a partial sectional view of an eighteenth preferred embodiment of the enclosure assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The embodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific manners in which to make and use the invention and are not to be interpreted as limiting the scope of the instant invention.

While the invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be noted that many modifications may be made in the details of the invention's construction and the arrangement of its components without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. It is understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments set forth herein for purposes of exemplification.

Referring to the drawings in detail, FIG. 1 illustrates atop view, and FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate alternate perspective views of an enclosure assembly 10 constructed in accordance with the present invention, The enclosure assembly 10 surrounds multiple ground flares 14 which may be arranged in a wide variety of patterns. Depending on the application, the ground flares 14 may be utilized simultaneously or at various different times.

As will be described in detail herein, the enclosure assembly 10 includes a plurality of structural supports 20 at an obtuse angle to grade 16.

The enclosure assembly 10 completely surrounds and circumnavigates the ground flares 14. the embodiment shown, the enclosure assembly forms a polygon although other forms, such as a circle or oval, are possible.

FIG. 4 illustrates a partial sectional view of the enclosure assembly 10 in a first preferred. embodiment. One of the structural supports 20 is visible. The structural supports may be fabricated from steel beams or other sturdy material. The structural support 20 is connected at grade or ground 16 and may be secured by concrete footings 18 or the like.

Each of the structural supports 20 is arranged at an obtuse angle to grade 16 as illustrated by arrow 30. In a preferred orientation, the obtuse angle may range from between 110 to 120 degrees.

The structural supports 20 may be retained in place by vertical bracing 40 substantially perpendicular to grade 16 and by cross bracing 44 extending between the structural supports 20 and the vertical bracing 40. Brackets may be utilized to facilitate connections. The vertical bracing 40 is connected at ground or grade by concrete footings 46 or the like.

In the first preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of panels 50 extends between adjacent structural supports with the panels 50 contiguous with each other. The panels 50 have the same obtuse angle to grade as the structural supports 20. In one non-limiting example, the obtuse angle may range from between 110 to 120 degrees.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the panels 50 are contiguous with each other and form a closed enclosure, An optional, secondary enclosure 60 may be provided on the vertical bracing 40.

FIG. 5 illustrates a partial sectional view of a second preferred embodiment of the enclosure assembly 10. The enclosure assembly includes a plurality of structural supports at an obtuse angle to grade. The structural supports 20 along with the vertical bracing 40 and cross bracing 44 are arrayed in the same pattern as shown in FIG. 4. The panels 50, however, are spaced from and parallel to each other on opposed sides of the structural supports 20. This arrangement of the panels 50 results in air flow space between adjacent panels 50.

FIG. 6 illustrates a partial sectional view of a third preferred embodiment of the enclosure assembly 10. The enclosure assembly includes a plurality of structural supports at an obtuse angle to grade. The structural supports 20 along with the vertical bracing 40 and cross bracing 44 are arrayed in the same pattern. The panels 50 are connected to the structural supports 20, however, the panels 50 are arranged at an obtuse angle to grade which is different from the obtuse angle of the structural supports. Accordingly, the panels are spaced from each other and airflow is permitted between adjacent panels 50. The angle of the panels 50 may be chosen to optimize airflow.

FIG. 7 illustrates a partial sectional view of a fourth preferred embodiment of the enclosure assembly 10. Similar to the embodiment in FIG. 4, a plurality of structural supports 20 are arranged at an obtuse angle to grade. Vertical bracing 40 and cross bracing 44 are provided to support the structural supports 20. A plurality of panels 50 are arranged contiguous with and adjacent to each other. The panels have the same obtuse angle to grade as the structural supports.

A secondary enclosure 66 is spaced from the vertical bracing 40 and surrounds the ground flare or flares as well as the vertical bracing and structural supports. A plurality of vertical supports 68 vertical to grade 16 are spaced from the vertical bracing 40 which may be connected at ground or grade by concrete footings 72. The vertical supports 68 have a plurality of contiguous panels 70 extending between adjacent supports.

FIG. 8 illustrates a partial sectional view of a fifth preferred embodiment of the enclosure assembly 10. Similar to the embodiment in FIG. 5, a plurality of structural supports 20 are arranged at an obtuse angle to grade. Vertical bracing 40 and cross bracing 44 are provided to support the structural supports 20. The panels are spaced from and parallel to each other on opposed sides of the structural supports 20. This arrangement of the panels 50 results in airflow space between adjacent panels.

FIG. 9 illustrates a partial sectional view of a sixth preferred embodiment of the enclosure assembly 10. Similar to FIG. 6, the panels 50 are connected to the structural supports 20, however, the panels 50 are arranged at an obtuse angle to grade which is different from the obtuse angle of the structural supports. Accordingly, airflow is permitted between adjacent panels 50.

FIG. 10 illustrates a partial sectional view of a seventh preferred embodiment of the enclosure assembly 10. Similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the panels 50 are spaced from and parallel to each other on opposed sides of the structural supports 20. The panels 70 on secondary enclosure are on the outside of the vertical supports 68.

FIG. 11 illustrates a partial sectional view of an eighth preferred embodiment of the enclosure assembly 10. Similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the panels 50 are attached to the structural supports 20 at an obtuse angle different from the obtuse angle of the structural supports 20. The secondary enclosure 66 includes vertical supports 68 arranged at an obtuse angle to grade 16. A plurality of panels 70 extend between the supports 68. The panels 70 extend between adjacent structural supports 68 with the panels contiguous with each other.

FIG. 12 illustrates a partial sectional view of a ninth preferred embodiment of the enclosure assembly 10. Similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the panels 50 are arranged contiguous with and adjacent to each other, The secondary enclosure 60 includes supports 68 and panels 70 which are at an obtuse angle to grade. The panels 70 extend between adjacent supports 68 with the panels contiguous with each other.

FIG. 13 illustrates a partial sectional view of a tenth preferred embodiment of the enclosure assembly 10. Similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the panels 50 are spaced from and arranged on opposite sides of the vertical supports 20. The secondary enclosure 66 includes vertical supports 68 which are vertical to grade. The panels 70 which are spaced arranged on opposed sides of the vertical supports and spaced from each other.

FIG. 14 illustrates a partial sectional view of an eleventh preferred embodiment of the enclosure assembly 10. Similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the panels 50 are connected to the structural supports 20, however, the panels 50 are arranged at an obtuse angle to grade which is different than the obtuse angle of the structural supports. The secondary enclosure 66 includes vertical supports 68 which are vertical to grade. The panels 70 are spaced from and parallel to each other on opposed sides of the structural supports 68.

FIG. 15 illustrates a partial sectional view of a twelvth preferred embodiment of the enclosure assembly 10. Similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the panels 50 extend between adjacent structural supports 20 contiguous with each other. The secondary enclosure 66 includes vertical supports 68 which are vertical to grade. The panels 70 are spaced from and parallel to each other on opposed sides of the structural supports 68.

FIG. 16 illustrates a partial sectional view of a thirteenth preferred embodiment of the enclosure assembly 10. Similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the panels 50 are spaced from and parallel to each other on opposed sides of the structural supports 20. The secondary enclosure 66 includes vertical supports 68 vertical to grade. A plurality of panels 70 are arranged at an obtuse angle to grade.

FIG. 17 illustrates a partial sectional view of a fourteenth preferred embodiment of the enclosure assembly 10. Similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the panels 50 are arranged at an obtuse angle different than the obtuse angle of the structural supports 20. The secondary enclosure 66 includes vertical supports 68 vertical to grade. A plurality of panels 70 are arranged at an obtuse angle to grade.

FIG. 18 illustrates a partial sectional view of a fifteenth preferred embodiment of the enclosure assembly 10. As in the FIG. 4 embodiment, the panels 50 are arranged contiguous with each other on the structural supports 20, The secondary enclosure 60 includes vertical supports 68 which are vertical to grade, The plurality of panels 70 are arranged at an obtuse angle to grade.

FIG. 19 illustrates a partial sectional view of a sixteenth preferred embodiment of the enclosure assembly 10. As in the embodiment in FIG. 5, the panels 50 are spaced from and parallel to each other on opposed sides of the structural supports 20. The secondary enclosure 66 includes a plurality of supports 68 arranged at an obtuse angle to grade 16. The panels 70 are at an obtuse angle different from the obtuse angle of the supports 68.

FIG. 20 illustrates a partial sectional view of a seventeenth preferred embodiment of the enclosure assembly 10. Similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the panels 50 are arranged at an obtuse angle to grade different from the obtuse angle of the structural supports 20. The secondary enclosure 66 includes supports 68 at an obtuse angle to grade along with a plurality of panels 70 at an obtuse angle different from the obtuse angle of the supports 68.

FIG. 21 illustrates a partial sectional view of an eighteenth preferred embodiment of the enclosure assembly 10. Similar to the FIG. 4 embodiment, the panels 50 are arranged contiguous with each other between the supports 20. The secondary enclosure 60 includes supports 68 at an obtuse angle to grade 16. The plurality of panels 70 are arranged at an obtuse angle to grade different from the obtuse angle of the supports 68.

The present invention provides a thermal radiation shield and combustion air controlled enclosure assembly which will reduce flame distortion while providing adequate air flow for combustion.

Whereas, the present invention has been described in relation to the drawings attached hereto, it should be understood that other and further modifications, apart from those shown or suggested herein, may be made within the spirit and scope of this invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A thermal radiation shield and combustion air control enclosure assembly for a ground flare, which assembly comprises; a plurality of structural supports at an obtuse angle to grade; and at least one panel extending between said structural supports surrounding said ground flare wherein said panel is at an obtuse angle to said grade.
 2. The assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said obtuse angle of said at least one panel is the same as said obtuse angle of said structural supports.
 3. The assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein said obtuse angle of said at least one panel and said obtuse angle of said structural supports ranges between 110 and 120 degrees.
 4. The assembly as set forth in claim 2 including a plurality of said panels contiguous with each other.
 5. The assembly as set forth in claim 2 including a plurality of said panels wherein said panels are spaced from and parallel to each other.
 6. The assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said obtuse angle of said at least one panel is different from said obtuse angle of said structural supports.
 7. The assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein said obtuse angle of said structural supports ranges between 110 and 120 degrees.
 8. The assembly as set forth in claim 1 including a secondary enclosure spaced from said at least one panel.
 9. The assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein said secondary enclosure is vertical to grade.
 10. The assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein said secondary enclosure is at an obtuse angle to grade. 